Garment button cover

ABSTRACT

A cover for garment buttons is disclosed, a button cover. The button cover is a flexible container having a top surface, side walls, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has an opening having a surface area adapted to fit over the button when the button cover is flexed or stretched and the opening surface area is smaller than the facing surface area of the button when the cover is not flexed or stretched so as to retain the cover on the button. In a further embodiment, the button cover has an elastic portion, wherein the elastic portion is adapted to allow the opening in the cover to be reversibly enlarged.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of garment fasteners and inparticular to buttons and means for reducing friction caused by buttonsworn against the skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most infant and toddler clothing wear and in some case adult wear, havebuttons allowing the clothing to be adjusted. In the case of children'swear, the buttons allow adjustment during the rapid growth months/yearsof children going through this physical development stages. It has beenfound that these buttons can create ah irritating and at times painfulannoyance for the individual wearing the clothing, especially when thebutton rubs against the individuals bare or lightly covered skin. Whatis needed is a device to cover the buttons to alleviate painful rubbingagainst the wearer's skin. In addition, this covering can serve as adecoration for the amusement of the child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a button cover. Thebutton cover is a flexible container having a top surface, side walls,and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has an opening having a surfacearea adapted to fit over the button when the button cover is flexed orstretched and the opening surface area is smaller than the facingsurface area of the button when the cover is not flexed or stretched soas to retain the cover on the button.

In a further embodiment, the button cover has an elastic portion,wherein the elastic portion is adapted to allow the opening in the coverto be reversibly enlarged.

In a further embodiment, a majority portion of the button cover is madeof an elastic material.

In a further embodiment, the button cover includes a decorative appliquéon its top surface.

In a further embodiment, the top surface of the button cover isdecorated directly.

In a further embodiment, the button cover is reversible, having firstand second exposed sides, wherein the first and second sides havedifferent visual features from each other.

In a further embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for washingbutton covers. The apparatus is a washable, closeable container forholding the button covers during washing, the container having aplurality of openings, wherein said openings are smaller than the buttoncovers and large enough to allow washing fluids to circulate and drainout of said container.

In a further embodiment, there is provided an article of clothing havingbuttons having button covers as described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an article of clothing having insidebuttons;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary garment button cover;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of exemplary button cover having an elasticportion;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of exemplary button cover decorativeappliqués.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a pair of pants having two adjustment features fastenedwith internal buttons 10, 20. While the adjustment features provideconvenience and extend the useful life of a growing child's garments,internal buttons such as these can create irritation when worn againstthe skin.

FIG. 2 a shows a top view and 2 b a bottom/side view of an exemplarybutton cover. The cover 30 has a opening 31 with a surface area largeenough to fit over a button when the device is flexed, but small enoughto stay on the button once the device is in place. Generally this meansthat the surface area of the opening is smaller in the cover'sunstretched condition than the facing surface area of the button towhich it is to be applied. Preferably, the cover is made from a soft,thin and durable material such as velvet, fleece, nylon, Lycra™, cotton,and the like. Fabrics having elasticity can be desirable where a tighterfit is required and where a variety of button sizes are to beaccommodated. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the cover can be of arelatively inelastic material and include a small portion 32 of anelastic material such as Spandex™, sufficient to allow the opening 31 tobe enlarged.

In a further embodiment, the fabric of the cover is decorated eitherwith a single color or a design applied directly to or woven into thefabric. In a further embodiment, the cover is reversible with each sideof the cover having a different color or design.

Generally, buttons are disc-shaped. Button covers for most buttons wouldhave a circular appearance when viewed as installed on the button. Theside walls of the button cover can be flat, giving the cover acylindrical shape, or rounded, as shown in FIG. 2.

In an alternative embodiment, the button cover serves as an attachmentmeans for a decorative emblem. In this embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, thecovers are intended to be worn over external buttons and provide anopportunity for wearers to customize their clothing with colored ordecorated button covers. In this embodiment, the button cover includes acreative, expressive and playful cover which is attached to a soft, thinand durable material which is slightly larger than a button itself andis mended together by a small piece of spandex or alternate elasticmaterial allowing the cover to be expanded over the button. The covercan be any design such as a butterfly, dragonfly, race car, flower,shapes or any color combination such as tye-dye design, American flag,gender related combinations and the like.

In a further embodiment, there is included with the button covers, awashing device comprising a small netted sack for holding the buttoncovers in a standard washing machine. The sack has openings sufficientlylarge for washing fluids to circulate, but small enough to retain thebutton covers.

In a further embodiment, the button covers are supplied with or addedonto stuffed animals with sewn on buttons to allow children to customizetheir stuffed animals with decorative items.

In a further embodiment, the button covers are supplied with or addedonto pillow cases having buttons. In a further embodiment, the buttoncovers are supplied with or added onto curtains having buttons.

I will be understood that the embodiments discussed in this applicationand depicted in the figures are for illustrative purposes only. Thosehaving skill in the fabric and clothing arts will understand thatmodifications and alterations can be made hereto within the spirit ofthe invention.

1. A button cover for a button having a facing surface area, comprisinga container having a top surface, side walls, and a bottom surface,wherein said bottom surface has an opening having a surface area adaptedto fit over the button when said cover is flexed or stretched andwherein said opening surface area is smaller than the facing surfacearea of the button so as to retain the cover on the button.
 2. Thebutton cover of claim 1, further comprising: an elastic portion, whereinsaid elastic portion is adapted to allow said opening to be reversiblyenlarged.
 3. The button cover of claim 3, wherein said elastic portioncomprises the entire button cover.
 4. The button cover of claim 1,wherein said side walls approximately comprise a cylinder.
 5. The buttoncover of claim 1, wherein said side walls are rounded.
 6. The buttoncover of claim 1, further comprising, a decorative appliqué on said topsurface.
 7. The button cover of claim 1, wherein said top surface isdecorated directly.
 8. The button cover of claim 1, wherein the cover isreversible, having first and second exposed sides, wherein said firstand second sides have different visual features from each other.
 9. Anapparatus for washing button covers, comprising; a washable, closeablecontainer having a plurality of openings, wherein said openings aresmaller than the button covers and large enough to allow washing fluidsto circulate and drain out of said container.
 10. An article of clothingcomprising: buttons; and removable button covers, said button coverscomprising a container having a top surface, side walls, and a bottomsurface, wherein said bottom surface has an opening having a surfacearea adapted to fit over the button when said cover is flexed orstretched and wherein said opening surface area is smaller than thefacing surface area of the button so as to retain the cover on thebutton.